Germaine Pratt is upping the ante heading into the Cincinnati Bengals’ upcoming home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cincinnati linebacker has guaranteed a victory over the Steelers, who were upset by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.
Next Sunday’s game was already important for the Bengals, who at 4-7 have an extremely small margin for error if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. It will also be a big game for the Steelers, who will surely be motivated to get back on track while maintaining their lead over the second-place Ravens in the AFC North division standings.
“We will win next week,” Pratt wrote in X. “Believe it, work to win.”
This isn’t the first time Pratt has made headlines about the Steelers. Two years ago, following Cincinnati’s midseason win at Pittsburgh, Pratt stated that the Steelers’ offense likes “making the same plays over and over again.
The Bengals are 0-2 against the Steelers since Pratt made those comments. Pittsburgh beat the Bengals in Cincinnati last November before defeating them on Dec. 23 with both teams playing backup quarterbacks.
Pratt and his defensive teammates are the main reason the Bengals are in their current situation. While quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are enjoying prolific seasons, Cincinnati’s defense ranks among the worst units in the NFL in points allowed. He allowed a combined 69 points during the Bengals’ recent losses to the Ravens and Chargers.
Unlike the Bengals, the Steelers are in good shape when it comes to the playoffs. But Thursday night’s loss has put a damper on Pittsburgh’s 8-3 start. Specifically, the Steelers are looking to get their offense back on track. Pittsburgh has failed to score more than 20 points five times this season, including its last two games.
Given their current situations, one can expect a playoff-like atmosphere next Sunday in Cincinnati as Pratt will look to make good on his guarantee.
